Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Check and assess pig health and welfare
   • Check pig health and welfare regularly
   • Recognise and report signs of ill health, diseases, parasite infestations and physical abnormalities
   • Record pig health and welfare status
   • Seek immediate advice where signs indicate an unusual disease
2. Provide an optimal environment for pigs
   • Check outdoor housing conditions and record relevant information where appropriate
3. Establish and maintain hygiene
   • Use and maintain personal protective equipment, and follow work health and safety procedures
   • Follow biosecurity procedures
   • Follow personal hygiene practices
   • Clean work areas, machines and surfaces appropriately
   • Remove and dispose of all waste and debris appropriately in line with enterprise environmental policies
4. Administer medication to pigs
   • Store labelled vaccines, veterinary medicines and other chemicals appropriately as directed
   • Carry out routine disease or parasite prevention procedures
   • Measure and administer medication under supervision
   • Administer vaccines as required, and identify pigs that have been vaccinated
   • Complete required documentation and records for administration of vaccines, medicines and chemicals
5. Remove dead or non-viable pigs
   • Dispose of dead pigs appropriately
   • Recognise, report and carry out appropriate procedures for unhealthy or non-viable pigs
   • Provide post-mortem assistance where necessary
6. Report and complete records
   • Complete all required documentation and records of diseases, pig losses and treatments clearly, promptly and accurately
   • Report to enterprise where relevant so that prevention strategies can be planned and implemented

Range Statement

---

Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

check and assess pig health and welfare

provide an optimal environment for pigs

establish and maintain hygiene

administer medication to pigs

remove dead or non-viable pigs

report and complete records

follow work health and safety procedures

follow biosecurity procedures

follow animal welfare policies

follow environmental policies

---

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

relevant regulatory requirements, codes of practice, industry standards and enterprise procedures for biosecurity and quarantine

relevant regulatory requirements, codes of practice, industry standards and enterprise procedures for animal welfare of pigs

signs of health, signs of ill health, and methods for assessing pig health and welfare

techniques and methods for humane handling and restraint of pigs

common diseases of pigs, treatment regimes, prevention and management strategies

criteria for handling compromised pigs

relevant documentation, records and reports that are required

the types, functions and characteristics of housing, housing infrastructure and housing equipment for outdoor pigs, and the criteria and methods for determining that they are in working condition

types, uses, handling, storage and routes of administration of commonly used vaccines, veterinary medicines and chemicals

requirements, methods and procedures for removing and disposal of waste and debris

procedures for conducting a post-mortem examination

effects and impacts of individual pig health and welfare on herd health status and vice versa

relevant work health and safety requirements and environmental practices

---